Friday, February 22, 2008

Futher Reading

For those of you want more from the frozen south, here's a brief selection of the many Polar books I've read over the year. I've picked one from each era to try and give a broad view of Antartic history. They all cover not just the expidition's aims, but the everyday happenings that bring character to any story.

The Heroic EraThe Voyage of the EnduranceSir Ernest Shackleton1914The ledgendary tale of the loss of his ship, and subsequent boat journey to South Georgia. A timeless classic

Back in the DayA World of Men Wally Herbert ISBN 413 26280 4 1968 A personal account of surveying Antarctica in the post-war "Golden Era" of dog sledging. Excellent writing from one of Britains last great Polar explorers. Herbert became a world authority on polar travel and lead the British Trans Arctic Expedition on the first crossing of the Arctic Ocean. His observations and humor make all his works a pleasure to read.

Of Dogs and Men. 50 Years in the Antarctic.Kevon Walton and Rick AtkinsonISBN1 897817 55 X1996Awesome stories covering all 50 years of dogs sledging from 1954 to 1994. Stunning photographes and witty accounts lead the reader to discover the dogs' fate at the hands of the beaurocrats.

The Thatcher EraOn AntarcticaLen AireyISBN 0-9708699-0-82001Not all years go as well as our did. Airey had to contend with difficult colleagues and even Argentine invasion! Nevertheless, the lure of the South kept him returning as this gritty account reveals.

Present DayI dont know about any recent books, but the excellent Z Fids website keeps links to blogs current and past. There are also great anecdotes from those who've lived and worked at Halley.Cool Antarctica provides a similar service to a wider audience.

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